Sheet-metal vessel



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. v

E S .L A W A E SHEET METAL VESSEL.

.Patented Apr.v1l=","1'896.v

M. PHOTO-[m10 WASHINGTDMD C l UNITED STATES,

ATENT OFFICE.

FRA-NoIsA. wALsI-I, or MILWAUKEE, wisconsin.

SHEET-METAL VESSEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,129, dated April 14, 1896.

Application filed .Tune 22, 1895.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS A. VALSH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of IVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheet-Metal Vessels; and I do hereby declare that the followi ing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to sheet-metal vessels of the class specifically known as strippingcans,7 wherein the cover and can-body are separated by means of the removal of a portion of the metal of the said body above the line of the body proper, said portion being formed with weakened lines for this purpose previously to the sealing of the can.; and my` invention consists in the particular means employed for this purpose, as well as in means for utilizing the so-removed cover for again covering the contents of the can, all as will be more fully set forth hereinafter and sub sequently claimed.

In the drawings, Figurel is a View, drawn to an exaggerated scale, of a vessel embodying my present invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating' my invention applied to another form of vessel. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are detail perspective views illustrating my invention applied to vessels formed with a ver-pV tical lap-seam. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating my invention applied to a vessel formed by pressing or stamping up the vessel-body from a flat piece of sheet metal, which is the form of vessel indicated by Fig. 2.

Referring, first, to the form of vessel indicated by Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, A represents the vessel-body, formed in this instance of a sheet of tin-plate bent around into a circular or cylindrical form, with the vertical edges overlapping, forining what is technically known as a lap-seam, as best indicated at a in Figs. 3 and 4.

Where a comparatively large vessel is to be formed, I prefer to form the upper part thereof with a flanged strengthening-rib B, the lower part b of which flange is practically horizontal, while the upper portion c thereof is preferably bent inward and upward at an angle and thence continued upward in a vertical line d in the process of making the vessel. This vertical extension d of said flange Serial No. 553,659. (No model.)

is scored or formed with weakened lines e e on the inner side, which lines are 'preferably horizontal and parallel and formed with their adjacent or opposed edges straight and their outer edges at an angle thereto in the indentation in the metal of said flange, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and the said vertical flange extension d is of greater diameter than that of the can-body proper at the line of the described horizontal portionb of said flange to afford a seat on said portion h for the cover C, there being in all forms of my device a single deflection of the metal of said vessel, constituting an inside cover-seat.

In the form of cover shown in Fig. 1 I have represented the same as consisting of a iat disk of sheet metal having a vertical annular circumferential flange f fitting snugly within the vertical flange extension d described and having originally an inward annular extension g at its upper edge, the top of the flange extension d rising to a greater height, so that in sealing the can, after its contents have been received, these adjacent parts of the flange extension d and the cover-flange f g may be bent or seamed over, as shown at 71, in Fig. 1. Vhile I have illustrated this means of closing the vessel body and cover, I do not limit myself thereto, as the seam or union of these parts may be effectedin any manner or form preferred, or any other style or kind of cover may be adopted, but I have found the Vform illustrated and just described to work well in practice. In this form of can I have also shown the upper part of the can-body bent inward at an angle to the lower part of said body, as indicated at c'; but it is obvious that if preferred the said body of the can may be entirely vertical or of any desired shape, angle, or inclination. Further, with large cans I may provide the same with wire bails D and provide ears or bosses E E for the same on the exterior of the can-body, as shown, whenever desired.

In Fig. 2,1 have indicated a vessel A drawn up or stamped from a flat piece of sheet metal, and in this form I do not need the just-described stren gthening-rib B, butI llange out the upper part of the body of the vessel to form a cover-seat b with a vertical flange eX- 'tension Cl and score the latter to form weakened lines e' e', analogous to those shown in IOO the other form of vessel just described, and provide a cover C', which may be secured to the flange extension in a similar manner to that just described with reference to the form shown in Fig. 1.

In the form of vessel first described when Iemploy a lap-seam a I cut out the metal which forms the removable strip F along the lines e e for a distance from one edge of the flange extension d equal in width to that of the described lap a. and bring this portion of the said strip outside of the vessel, as shown at G in Figs. 4 and 5, forming a tongue or lip, the said Fig. 5 being understood as being a section taken on the upper of the said two weakened lines e e.

In the form of vessel illustrated in Fig. 2 there is no lap-seam, as the vessel-body is drawn up, as stated, from a fiat piece of sheet metal, and, therefore, in order to obtain the tongue or lip a separate short strip or piece G is soldered or otherwise secured to the inner surface of the described portion of the strip F between the weakened lines and an opening a made in the same, through which one end of said strip or piece G/ is projected to the outside, all as shown in Fig. G.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description of its construction, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In order to open the Vessel, the operator has only to take hold of the tongue or lip G (or G) and pull upon it, when the strip F, of which the tongue G forms a part, or the strip F, to which the tongue G is secured, and hence, also, practically forms a part, will separate from the balance of the metal of the vessel along the weakened lines e e, (or e a) whereby the cover portion will be at .once freed, but will rest, as before, in its original position on the seat b, (or 19,) rising above the part of the metal which originally formed the lower part of the flange extension d (or df) described, which latter forms a neck or breast (marked 7c at the j right in Fig. l) that serves as a cover-guidev when the cover after having been bodily removed is to be replaced. The upper part of the original flange extension d (or CZ) above the upper weakened lines c (or e) may remain as a top or beading to the coverflange in this instance.

It will be understood that although I have shown my invention embodied in a cylindrical vessel it is equally applicable to one of square, rectangular, or other form.

Having thus described my invention, -what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A sheet-metal vessel formed at its upper end with a single defiection of the metal constituting an inside seat for receiving a cover, and an upward-extending fiange secured to or against the top of said cover, and scored, or formed with weakened lines below said point of union of the said flange and cover, to enable a strip of the material of the said iiange to be bodilyremoved in the unsealing of the vessel, and leave the cover in place thereon.

2. In a sheet-metal vessel, the combination with a body, provided with a single defiection of the metal constituting an inside coverseat of a flange extending from said body upwardly beyond the cover-seat for forming a sealing union with the top of said cover, and scored, or formed with weakened lines to enable a strip of the material of the said flange to be bodily removed in the unsealing of the vessel, and a projecting tongue or lip extending outwardly from said removable strip portion to facilitate the separation of the parts.

8. In a sheet-metal vessel, the combination with the body provided with a single deflection of the metal constituting an inside coverseat of a flange extending therefrom and scored, or formed with weakened lines above the cover-seat to enable a strip or portion only of the material of the said fiange to be removed therefrom and a projecting tongue or lip extending outwardly from said strip portion to facilitate the separation of the parts.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS A. VALSH.

Vitnesses:

H. G. UNDERwooD, HENRY DANKERT. 

